A description of a novel rolling contact fatigue test for evaluation of bearing steel characteristics is presented. Unlike traditional approaches where bearings are tested until failure, the proposed testing method is based on monitoring the material response during testing. The measurement principles are based on changes of the surface geometry, such as grooving, because of accumulation of subsurface micro-plastic damage and on observations of related changes in the steel micro-structure. The test method is complemented by introducing a detailed material model that is used to model the groove development. The model is used to analyse the groove data and yields dedicated material property parameters, which can be used directly to model general material behaviour under rolling contact fatigue conditions. An example is given to illustrate the method and its use in assessing bearing steel performance.

The rolling contact (RC) fatigue test rig was developed specifically for rapid and inexpensive evaluation of materials and processes for rolling element bearing applications. The simple geometry of the test specimen, a cylindrical bar, makes it ideal for evaluating new materials where only limited quantities of the material may initially be available and also permits precise control of the mechanical and thermal processing of the test specimen.

The current paper presents the results obtained from testing of high-nitrogen martensitic stainless steels and a cobalt-based alloy using an accelerated rolling contact fatigue tester, the Polymet test rig. Although demineralised water is not a good lubricant in terms of, for example, its capability of building up a sufficient film thickness, it was possible to rank the tested alloys according to their performance. Corrosion products were observed on the over-rolled tracks, and the materials' resistance to pitting corrosion was assessed.

This book deals with wear and performance testing of thin solid film lubrication and hard coatings in an ultra-high vacuum (UHV), a process which enables rapid accumulation of stress cycles compared with testing in oil at atmospheric pressure. The authors’ lucid and authoritative narrative broadens readers' understanding of the benefits of UHV testing: a cleaner, shorter test is achieved in high vacuum, disturbance rejection by the deposition controller may be optimized for maximum fatigue life of the coating using rolling contact fatigue testing (RCF) in a high vacuum, and RCF testing in UHV conditions enables a faster study of deposition control parameters. In short, Rolling Contact Fatigue in a Vacuum is an indispensable resource for researchers and engineers concerned with thin film deposition, solar flat panel manufacturing, physical vapor deposition, MEMS manufacturing (for lubrication of MEMS), tribology in a range of industries, and automotive and marine wear coatings for engines and transmissions.